NEW WILMINGTON, PA. Council approves rise in electric bills

Lawmakers also bid two veterans farewell.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- Borough electric bills will increase by 10 percent Jan. 1.
At the recommendation of the utilities committee, borough council unanimously approved the increase when it met Monday.
Council member Raymond Keffer, who chairs the committee, said the increase is a result of an increase in the rate the supplier is charging the borough, as well as a long overdue passing on of some expenses the borough has been absorbing for years. He said the borough's rate is still lower than Penn Power's.
Sewer study: In other business, Borough Superintendent Fred Garrett said a study has identified three areas where surface water is infiltrating sanitary sewers.
These include the Gateway Drive area, Francis Street and Beechwood Road- South Market area. He said that the next step is further testing and said one possible solution is relining of manholes.
He said about 30 percent of the borough was not included in the study, which was done last spring. These will be done in the future, he said.
Request: Council heard a request by Solicitor Peter Acker of Wilmington Township, Mercer County, for extension of township sanitary sewers to a housing development proposed by the Living Word Church, Cowden Road, for adjacent property.
The projection is for 40 to 50 residential dwellings within about 10 years.
Council members Keffer and Eleanore Morris pointed out that the township gave its allotment of 75 tap-ins to the Winfield Development off High Street two years ago. That development has not proceeded on schedule and what will happen with the allotted 75 units is not clear.
But Keffer and Morris pointed out that there were residents on North Market Street who would have liked to tie in to the sewer line but could not because of the allotment given to Winfield. No action was taken on the request.
Hearing: In other business, council instructed Solicitor Tom Mansell to attend a zoning hearing request at 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Municipal Building and oppose, on the borough's behalf, a zoning variance request by Bob Coulter on the size of a garage he built on his Waugh Avenue property. A neighbor, Jane Imbornone, complained that the garage exceeds borough height limits, affecting her privacy and the view from her home.
President Larry Wagner announced special meetings have been set for 5 p.m. Dec. 10 to adopt the 2002 budget and for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20 to open bids for garbage collection. Both meetings will be at the Municipal Building.
Council also informally agreed to renew its membership in the County Council of Governments for $196.
Goodbyes: It was the last meeting for Mayor Guy McCrumb, who has held the post for 23 years. Council presented him with a proclamation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, commending his many years of service as mayor, council member and fire chief. McCrumb said his service has been "a pleasure and a joy."
It was also the last meeting for Council member Eleanore Morris who has served 16 years on council.